Conservation Commission Minutes - Corrected

Meeting date: 
Wednesday, April 19, 2017

WILLINGTON CONSERVATION COMMISSION MEETING

04/19/17 Meeting

Call to Order: The meeting was called to order @ 7:05 pm.

Roll Call/ Seating of alternates: P. Andersen, K. Demers, M. Drobney, C. Jordan, M. Schreiber, R. Shabot. On a motion by CJ/RS Jackie Kulig was seated for J. Cartabiano. Unanimous

Approval of Minutes of 12/21/16:  Minutes approved with the following 2 corrections and 1 amendment (changes are in bold type): Motion: CJ/RS 1.Old Business B. Open Space Map : An updated Committed Open Space Map revised to the date of 10/2016 is being sent to Planimetrics for the 2018 POCD and also to CRCoG. Unanimous vote

2. Motion CJ/MD: New Business A. Appointment of new Commission member.  Change the phrase to “WCC will recommend to the Board of Selectman that Jackie Kulig be appointed as an alternate WCC member.”  Unanimous vote.

3.Amendment to minutes: Motion PA, KD New Business C. Legislative Action: There was discussion on issues regarding fracking waste bans at the State and Town governmental levels. 5 ayes, 2 abstentions: CJ, RS

Present to Speak: Not Applicable

Finance: The FY16/17 balance is $613.60. There was discussion on establishing protocol for accepting monetary donations from the public. CJ will research this issue.

On a motion by KD/RS “The WCC approves the expenditure of $50.00 to Creative Mark Engraving for the 2017 Daley Award plaque.” 6 Ayes, 1 Abstention (MD)

Old Business/Status Reports

A. PoCD: tabled.

B. Legislative Action: On a motion by KD/RS “WCC supports PA sending a letter of support to Willington’s State legislators regarding HB.6329 “An Act Concerning Hydraulic Fracking Waste in Connecticut”. Unanimous vote

On a motion by KD/MD” The WCC supports the establishment of a Town ordinance prohibiting the storage, disposal or use of waste from oil and gas exploration or extraction activities, or any derivative thereof, in the Town Of Willington, Connecticut and will encourage the Board of Selectman to move forward to establish such an ordinance through town meeting at the earliest opportunity”. Unanimous vote

C. Properties Management

Fenton-Ruby Park/Drobney Sanctuary: Field maintenance: The 3 year mowing contract @ FRP-DS has been awarded. A drainage issue between field 1 &2 of the hayfield will need to be addressed. There is also encroachment of high grass and brush into the hayfield.

Beaver Pond observation deck: The Eagle Scout project at the beaver pond is nearing completion.

Barberry Control: The Taylor Pond home site and MU8 are slated for a work party to control the barberry.

Trails/Maintenance: The proposed boardwalk installation on the Langhammer Spur Link Trail is scheduled.

Maps at trail intersections:  Tabled.

Knowlton Preserve/Talmadge Tract: JK will meet with the trail Steward from CFPA to discuss the rerouting of The Knowlton Preserve Trail to accommodate the proposed rerouted Nipmuck Trail.

Possible projects for donation funding: Tabled

Peck’s Mill: tabled.

D. Town Development: PZC, IWWC, ZBA:  Tabled

E. Collaborative Organizations:  KD and PA gave a report on the The WCCC presentation  by CT Agriculture Commissioner S. Revicky who spoke about the State conflict concerning protecting prime farmland with State funding versus the State’s indirect funding of solar panel farms.  

F. Daley Award: The 2017 Daley Award was presented to Ken Metzler on April 5, 2017. Ken has been a volunteer in the Town of Willington since the 1980’s. His commitment and scholarship on environmental issues is greatly appreciated.

G: New Commission member: Jackie Kulig was approved by the Board of Selectman as an alternate member of the commission.

H. Other: KD and JK reported on their Vernal Pool Monitoring results in FRP. 5/6 pools were observed.

New Business

A.Communications: NA

B.Other: NA

Next Meeting:  5/17/2017

Adjournment Meeting adjourned @ 9:10pm

Minutes submitted by Marilyn Schreiber, Recording Secretary